What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1468987
MAY 29-JUNE 4, 2022 WHAT'S UP! 5 Many Sides Of 'QUEER' Fenix explores identity in new exhibit MONICA HOOPER NWA Democrat-Gazette A fter their show "Pronouns" helped many to celebrate being completely themselves, Fenix Arts Board members Laurie Foster and Pat Hennon felt inspired by the reaction to the show. "We were just blown away by the response, not only from the artists who felt like they had a voice suddenly, but by the people that came in to look at the show. It felt like there were some connections made," explains Foster, Board president for Fenix Arts. She says that she and Hennon, who helped curate that show, wanted to expand upon the ideas and energy spurred by their first exhibit at Fenix's new home at Mount Sequoyah. "We were terrified at first and said, 'No, we can't do that.' But we kind of got our nerve up." Having never put on a regional art show, they navigated a call for entries with the help of Taylor Johnson, gallery manager, to create "QUEER," an LGBTQIA+ artists' activation and exhibition juried by Brad Cushman from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The exhibit aims to "give voice to this under-represented population to share their stories and dreams." Artists participating in the exhibit hail from Texas, Mississippi, Kansas — and other places that aren't always considered inclusive. "The art is very diverse," says Foster. "There's a lot of portraits in this, and they are really cool. They are proud people in whatever guise they are doing their portraits. They are showing that they are good with how they are and who they are, and we need to be too." "Swallowing Souls," by Jasmine Raskas will be part of "QUEER," on display at Fenix Arts from June 2-July 30. (Courtesy Image) FAYETTEVILLE FAQ 'QUEER' WHEN — June 2-July 30; hours are 1-5 p.m. Wednes- day-Friday & noon-6 p.m. Saturday WHERE — Fenix Arts, 150 W. Skyline Drive in Fayetteville COST — Free INFO — 530-6023, fenixarts.org FYI — Foster says that there will be some nudity in the artworks presented in the exhibit. See QUEER Page 6 "Alex, Anna, and Jo Jo" by Rachel Trusty is also on show at Fenix. (Courtesy Image) Artwork by Kristen Gentry, from Stillwater, Okla., is part of the new exhibit at Fenix Arts. She is an enrolled member and registered artist of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. (Courtesy Image)